Sand, School, and Boogersnots :: Chase at 6 Months

The Rookie has been a busy man. Size-wise, he is now a modest 28 inches long, and a rugged 22 pounds, both of which are staggering compared to how he started-out. Those stats pale in comparison, though, to the leaps and bounds he's made in his development, and the new adventures he's been on.

In his 6th month, Chase experienced the Jersey Shore for the first time-- a must for any Frantzen/Boer offspring. "Well, if he loved the pool, he must've loved the ocean." Wrong. Now, the ocean wasn't that big of an issue-- in fact, he was nonplussed by it. No, it was the combination of sun (which, as we know, is not a friend of Chase) and sand (fun to play with-- not fun to put in your mouth) that sent him whining and grunting his way back up to the safety of Aunt Kris's deck. All was well though, because he had plenty of company in his cousin Ella (who taught him just how much trouble crawling can get you into... also how fun it is), his cousin Sofia, his Uncle Kris and Aunt Becky, and, of course, Mum-mum and Pop-pop. Yessir, outside of the dastardly sun and just plain unappetizing sand, Chase had a great vacation.

The Rookie also started "school" when Justine went back to work, and, all things considered, his parents had a tougher time transitioning than him. His teachers have fallen prey to his charms, and he's making new friends, and spreading more and more of his drool everyday. Of course, where there's other babies, there's germs.

And that's the tough part. Chase has had not one, but two colds in his 6th month. He's soldiering through them very well, but it breaks our hearts to see him cough, or sneeze, or sniffle. We just have to tough it out, and make sure we have enough bibs and rags to deal with his seemingly endless supply of boogers and drool. Disgusting? Sure. But it's amazing how quickly one can become so desensitized to gross bodily fluids when they come out of your own son. I haven't had a day of work in a long time without a small to large drool/vomit/booger stain. That's life.

Other than that, Chase is just becoming less and less of a baby, and more and more of a little boy every single day. He sits up on his own without help and he rocks back-and-forth on his hands and knees, threatening his nervous parents with becoming a mobile menace. His days are filled with flirting with everyone from the daycare to the grocery store, and his weekends are filled with visits with Grammy and Grandpa, Mum-mum and Pop-pop, and his many, many aunts and uncles. Not a bad life, if you ask me. Here's to another great half-a-year!

The Rookie Figures It Out :: Chase at 5 Months

Drool. It's an artform. And, at 5 months, Chase is a regular Picasso. But it's a welcome inconvenience in light of what he's given his mommy and daddy. "What's that?," you ask? Sleep. Glorious, wonderful sleep. He loves it too, it turns out. No longer in the swaddler, little man props himself on his side, finds that ever-elusive thumb, and drifts-off to dreamland to dream about large black dogs and gigantic exersaucers.

And that's where we find ourselves 5 months into this adventure. Chase is starting to get the hang of things. He's started to eat regular food (if you consider a mixture of cereal, milk, and banana/carrots/apple sauce "regular"). He's starting to really recongnize people other than his mom and pop. He's starting to *gulp* learn how to move. Granted, it's slow movement -- mainly slithering while leaving a trail of drool, toys, and grunts-- but movement, nonetheless. He's growing from being just a little tiny baby to a rough-and-tumble little boy. Move over Layla, Drew and Justine have a new best friend.

Month five was a month of new experiences. The first of which was his first time in the pool. A baby pool at first, but then on to Grammy and Grandpas for a REAL swim. The verdict? Well, just like his parents, Chase is amphibious.

And, much to his parents delight, Chase experienced his first live concert at Musikfest in Bethlehem. He had an absolute blast! It'll be the first of many, many, many live shows.

So, as we head towards a half of a year, the Rookie is thriving as a happy, curious little boy. We're looking forward to introducing him to football, pumpkin patches, and cool autumn days, but we'll take all the summer we can get!

18 Pounds of Awesome :: Chase at 4 months

It seems like all we ever hear anymore is "Oh my, he's a big boy!," or "I bet he has a healthy appetite!" Tell us about it. Chase, at a mere 4 months, is already in the 90th percentile for weight (18 lbs.), height (26 in.), and head circumference (17 in.). To be clear though-- he's not fat. He's just... big.

As for development in other areas, the Rookie is hitting all of his milestones on time (if not early). He's rolling over (usually to see the TV), sitting up for moments at a time (in order to catch a better view of the TV), and talking up a storm (probably reacting to the TV). Oh, he likes TV. Whether it be on or off (for the record, the TV is usually off), Chase loves the boob-tube. We're gotta work on that...

His personality is also becoming more and more prevalent. He knows what he likes, and, to a much greater extent, what he dislikes. He likes "zerberts" (also known as "raspberries" in some circles). He dislikes anything that happens after 8pm, as it falls after his self-designated bedtime. He likes walks around the town in his new jogging stroller. He dislikes if his neighborhood stroll isn't met with the exact amount of sunshine he desires (not on the face, please). But he's amazingly happy and smart, which makes our lives easier.

The adventures are really just beginning for little man. In the coming months, he's due for his first time in the pool, first baseball game, first time at the beach, and many more visits to his extended family in both PA and Jersey. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. To watch him grow and learn, you can just see that he's discovering all sorts of new things. It's exhilarating to watch his little mind get blown by, say, discovering that he has toes, for instance.

In the meantime, we'll just keep rotating in bigger and bigger outfits.

Man On The Move :: Chase at Three Months

It is no wonder that Chase's favorite song is "On the Road Again" (performed by Daddy, of course). He is a little boy who loves nothing more than to get up and go. For those of you who have visited lately, you are well aware that the days of sitting and holding the little guy are long gone- Chase needs to move. His days are filled with regular stroller rides to the park with his buddy Layla, dance parties, tours of the house and back yard, and very regular visits to Target or anywhere else he can look around and explore the world! Lucky for him, he had a busy month. He attended his first birthday party to help cousin Sofia celebrate turning four. He hosted his first group play date this month and hung out with his buddies Cole, Mason, Brooke and Hailey. After that he headed down to meet his new buddy Alex, followed by a visit with Mum-mum & Pop-pop. Then finally, in need of some relaxation, he retreated to Grammy & Grandpa's for a sleepover.

Every morning it seems like he has grown, greeting us with that big smile, ready to tackle the day. Chase is already 17 lbs and moved into 6-month clothes this week. I think he is trying to catch up to daddy and all of his uncles! He's becoming quite a happy and curious little man, whose wonder is only matched by his extreme appetite.

Learning How To Smile :: Chase at Two Months

The days are growing longer, the trees are growing new leaves, and Chase is growing from the small, fragile newborn he was into the very big baby we all assumed he would become. He goes for his two-month-checkup tomorrow, so we won't know for sure until then, but I'd put his weight at anywhere between 13 and 120 lbs., and his length at anywhere from 22 inches to 3 feet. Just kidding. But it does seem that he grows another inch every night when he sleeps. He's already wearing 3-6 month clothes. At this rate, he'll be borrowing clothes from his dad by October.

And get this: We are actually all beginning to sleep more now! I can't believe it either. I mean, in reality, it's still a crap-shoot, but it's marginally better. At best, we get a good 5-hour stretch at night, which, all things considered, is fantastic. Some nights are better than others, but really, all it takes is a good lullabye to get him off to dreamland. Fortunately, his mommy actually knows traditional lullabyes. His dad? Well, last night, Chase fell asleep to his father's stirring rendition of Springsteen's "Thunder Road." I'll have to work on that.

Every day, it seems like he becomes more and more of a person, with his own personality, likes, dislikes, expressions, etc.. And, after the long wait, our little guy finally gave us the smile we've been waiting for. He also learned how to stick out his tongue, which we weren't necessarily waiting for per se, but it's pretty cute, so we'll take it.

All in all, he's still the best thing since sliced bread, and the cutest creature on earth. We're looking forward to a great summer, and many great summers to follow.

Oh, and as an added treat, we've posted a short video of him playing on his mat. Why? Just because. Enjoy!

Eat. Cry. Poop. :: Chase at One Month

It's amazing how one month can change your entire life. And as much as Chase is learning something new everyday, his mom and dad are scrambling to learn the fine art of "Chase." It's exhausting, frustrating, and ultimately, the most wonderful experience in the world. Did I mention it was exhausting?

The Rookie's personality reveals itself a little more every day. He's very curious, very stubborn, and VERY strong, which is a dangerous combination. He hates being naked, unless it is to either, a. pee on us, or, b. get partially submerged in gloriously warm water, while being bathed in lavender soap. Not bad, eh? He loves bouncing, hates sleeping, and can put down a bottle like no one's business.

While I'm certain that Justine and I are his favorite people on earth (*fingers crossed*), we simply cannot compare to Chase's grandparents. Grammy and Grandpa (Justine's parents) are the comforters: when Chase is around them, he falls into a peaceful slumber; a perfect angel. Mom-mom and Pop-pop (Drew's parents) are the entertainers: when Chase is around them, he is awake and alert (without wailing for food), happy as can be. Pop-pop even got (what we think was) his first giggle.

The weekends are chocked-full of meeting new people, experiencing new things, and hanging with his bodyguard, Layla. We go on family walks and family car trips, both of which he falls asleep for, with many more to follow.

Finally, we cannot thank all of the folks who have lavished Chase with love, well-wishes, prayers, and gifts. They have meant the world to us, and we will make sure Chase thanks every one of you in person... when he can finally talk. He looks forward to seeing you all, and meeting the many new friends he still has yet to meet.

Chase- Week One

After a few sleepless nights in the hospital, it was time for us to bring our little man home for the first time. Justine (who had been relegated to a hospital bed that looks comfortable at first glance-- not so much after several days) and myself (who was relegated to a pull-out that would only pass for a bed in third-world countries) were happy to get home to our comfy furniture, familiar surroundings, and, yes, Layla.

Layla and Chase get along famously. Chase is nonplussed by her being around, and Layla sees Chase as the new little creature that she has to protect (even from his own mom and dad).

Chase's grammy was a saint, and came to stay with the new family for a few days to help us with cleaning, cooking, etc., which was real godsend. Especially, seeing as how we had to take our little man to the doctor's 3 days in a row.

Yep, for having a father whose appetite is surpassed only by his waistline, Chase had lost a little more weight than he should've, and was pretty jaundiced. We had to put him on the bottle with both formula and milk, and, after a little scare, Chase is doing just fine. Actually, fine is an understatement. If the amount of, ahem, "stuff" in his diaper is any gauge, Chase is doing fantastic.

As for sleep, well, let's just say that the Rookie may have his days and nights mixed-up. For instance, when the doctor says that he should be fed every 2 hours, you don't immediately assume that the 3:30 a.m. feeding will end 15 minutes before the 5:30 feeding. But, we steal shut-eye when we can, and, to be honest, it's amazing how far a one hour nap can go.

It's quite an experience so far, and completely rewarding at that. He makes us laugh and smile and giggle every day. As each day passes, his personality comes out more and more. It's tough to decipher whether or not he actually enjoys peeing on his mom when she changes him, or keeping his father awake for as long as humanly possible because sleep isn't "the cool thing to do" at 4 a.m., but we take it in stride. It's what makes Chase... Chase.

Chase Erik Frantzen

The Rookie is here. First the facts: he's a 7 lb. 5.5 oz., 19-in. long, strong little boy. 10 fingers, 10 toes, and he's possibly the most beautiful creature on the planet.

Now, the story. Justine and I went in to the hospital at 12 am on Thursday morning, so that Justine could be induced. With the gestational diabetes, the doctors didn't want to take any risks. So, at around 2 am Thursday morning, she began the intitial steps to induction.

Around 5 hours later, the doctors began giving her the drug that essentially starts labor. Justine began having contractions, but after many, many hours, the Rookie was still not budging. Then, the dreaded "Plan B."

At around 5:30 pm, the doctors and nurses got us ready to go into the Operating Room for a C-Section. She was scared, and in a ton of pain, but Justine was a champ. And, at around 6:53 pm, on March 5th, 2009, we got to meet our son for the first time.

Mother and baby are just fine. Justine is sore, and very hungry, but recovering quite well, given the circumstances. We'll be in the hospital until Sunday, and then the fun-filled adventure begins.

Thanks for all of the well-wishes, and we will post more (many, many more) pictures very soon.

--The Proud Papa

Tick, tock, tick, tock...

Here we are at just about 39 weeks. The rookie will be here any second now. Justine, being the planner that she is, has already packed her bags and booked a kennel for Layla. I, on the other hand, have yet to do that. (I swear-- I'm all over that tomorrow)

We're ready to welcome the Rookie into the world. Not just to meet this little, mysterious kicking-machine, but also so that Justine can stop being so... uncomfortable. Needless to say, the last few weeks of her pregnancy have not been a picnic. But right now, we're eager to meet the little man.

3 Weeks Left

So, here we are in the homestretch. Justine is trucking right along, dealing with fatigue, arm numbness, etc., and she's more beautiful than ever. The Rookie is running out of room, but growing like a champ. (I'm amazed that he has a head of hair, by the way... Maybe more so that the ultrasound could pick up hair).

The nursery is ready. The carseat is in the Kia (even if it doesn't seem quite right...). Justine is done work next Friday. Layla has been sufficiently warned that her rule of the roost is coming to an end. All that's missing is our little boy.

He'll be here before we know it...

Mommy & Grandpa.

Classic.

The Home Stretch

At work each day, the first thing I do is write the date on the board. It really hit me when I realized we are now less than a month away from meeting our little boy. Thank you so much to everyone who planned, came to, and gave so generously at our shower. We were both just truly overwhelmed with how blessed we are. Our son is definitely entering a world filled with people who will love him to pieces...not to mention spoil him rotten!! Below are some pics from the shower...yes, there were six pregnant ladies there and we are all due in either March, April, or May.



The last few weeks have been quite busy. We have been working hard to get our house in order and the doctor appointments are still two times a week. As of Monday, February 9th the rookie is an estimated 5 lbs. 15 oz, which again puts him around the 45th percentile in growth...just where we want him! As for me, I am still feeling good, just really tired and incredibly huge.


The nursery is finally ready to go. The furniture from Grammy and Grandpa looks extra special now that everything has been set up and found its place. Drew's paint job matches the bedding perfectly! Here's to the last few weeks of waiting!